MSN-02 Zeong
Prototype Newtype-use mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon.
The MSN-02 Zeong was a prototype Newtype-use mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon at A Baoa Qu. Named after the Principality itself to boost morale, the Zeong represented Zeon’s ultimate mobile suit development.
The “MS” in the model code indicated it was a mobile suit, while the “N” identified it as a Newtype-use model. The “02” in the model code denoted that it was the second design in the line.
History
The Principality of Zeon developed multiple experimental Newtype-use mobile suits through its Bishop Plan program. After testing the psycommu system on modified Zaku II frames, Zeon engineers created the MSN-01 Psycommu System Zaku to address mobility and energy efficiency issues. However, the bulky psycommu system still limited performance.
Unable to further miniaturize the psycommu system, Zeon designed a larger mobile suit from scratch. They developed the MSN-01 Kikeroga to test weapons systems before creating the MSN-02 Zeong.
When the Earth Federation Forces attacked A Baoa Qu on 31 December UC 0079, Kycilia Zabi ordered Char Aznable to pilot the incomplete Zeong prototype. Though only 80% complete and lacking legs, the mobile suit retained full combat effectiveness in space combat.
The Zeong engaged in fierce combat with the RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by Amuro Ray. During its battle with the Gundam, both units inflicted heavy damage—the Gundam destroyed both of the Zeong’s arms while losing its own left arm. Char landed the Zeong on A Baoa Qu itself, attempting to ambush the Gundam with waist-mounted mega particle cannons. The Gundam evaded and destroyed the Zeong’s torso, causing its IFF signal to fail and leading Kycilia Zabi to believe Char had perished. The battle concluded with a final exchange between the Gundam and the Zeong’s head unit, resulting in both units’ destruction, though Char escaped through the head unit’s rear hatch.
Design
The Zeong’s large frame accommodated its psycommu system and power requirements. Though incomplete without legs, this did not impact space combat performance. Two large and four smaller rocket thrusters provided 187,000 kg of total thrust.
A Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor generating 9,400 kW powered the massive mobile suit. The head contained the main cockpit and could detach as a combat-capable escape unit. The mobile suit used super hard steel alloy armor and featured custom sensors with an 81,000-meter detection range.
The Zeong featured an innovative dual cockpit system. The primary cockpit in the torso handled activation and initialization, while a secondary cockpit in the head connected via a traversal tube. A single Newtype pilot could operate the mobile suit from either cockpit, though system startup required the torso position. Alternatively, a standard pilot and gunner team could operate from the torso and head respectively.
When detached, the head unit could operate independently for up to 10 minutes due to limited propellant supplies. It could replenish both propellant and weapons energy by redocking with the main body.
Armaments
The Zeong’s standard weapons were wire-guided mega particle guns for ranged combat mounted in its fingers.
Wire-guided 5-barrel mega particle gun
Each of the Zeong’s fingers contained a mega particle gun, protected by dust-proofing panels during standby. The forearms could detach and operate as remote weapons via control cables several kilometers in length. If severed, backup cables could reconnect the units. The five barrels could fire independently or in linked patterns, with the articulated fingers allowing adjustment of firing angles for maximum coverage.
Mega particle guns
Two mega particle guns mounted in the torso provided additional firepower. A third gun in the head remained operational even when the head unit detached, though it relied on limited stored power in this configuration.
Variants
- MSN-02 Perfect Zeong
- MSN-03-2 Great Zeong
Known pilots
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.
The Zeong was notable as one of only two mobile suits piloted by Char not painted in his signature red color scheme, the other being the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki. In the English dub of Mobile Suit Gundam, the unit was referred to as the “Jeong”. In video game adaptations like Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3, the Zeong could operate in atmospheric conditions despite its incomplete state, a concession to gameplay mechanics rather than canonical capability.
Appearances
Anime
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
- Gundam Evolve
Games
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
- Gundam: The Battle Master/Battle Assault
- Gundam Battle Assault 2
- Gundam the Ride: A Baoa Qu
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Climax UC
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon DX
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Ex Revue
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme vs
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot’s Locus
External links
- MSN-02 Zeong on the Gundam Wiki
- MSN-02 Zeong on MAHQ